BICS will reduce energy costs for eligible businesses by giving exemptions on three areas that are currently added to electricity bills: The Feed in Tarrif. Renewables Obligation. The Capacity Market.
Applications to receive the exemptions will run from 1st October 2026 to the 30th November 2026.
To be eligible the business must be:
- Registered on Companies House
- Operate within an eligible sector
- Manufacture eligible products
- Use at least 33 mWh of electricity per year (33,000 kWh).
Eligible sectors are:
- Advanced Manufacturing
- Clean Energy Technologies
- Creative Industries
- Defence
- Digital and Technologies
- Financial Services
- Life Sciences
- Professional and Business Services
Eligible products are defined by the HS or Commodity Code. There are hundreds of eligible products, see: Eligibility for the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme – GOV.UK
There is an online eligibility checker available at : Check if your manufacturing site(s) should be eligible for an electricity discount – British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme (BICS) – GOV.UK
Only the electricity that is used for the manufacture of eligible products is eligible for an exemption.
Exemptions will be granted for five years, but there will need to be an annual declaration confirming that no changes to the initial application have occurred.
Further information on BICS can be found at British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme: guidance for applicants – GOV.UK